What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Zinc Pyrithione
Antiseborrhoeic
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingParfum
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone
Emollient
Climbazole
Antimicrobial
Menthol
Masking
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
PPG-9
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Zinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Tea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Tea-Sulfate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Poloxamer 407
EmulsifyingLaureth-23
Cleansing
Sodium Polynaphthalenesulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingCyclotetrasiloxane
Emollient
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDMDM Hydantoin
Preservative
PEG-4
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Glucose
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Trideceth-9
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
Buffering
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 47005
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Zinc Pyrithione, Dimethiconol, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Climbazole, Menthol, Sodium Salicylate, PPG-9, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Zinc Sulfate, Tea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycerin, Tea-Sulfate, Sodium Benzoate, Poloxamer 407, Laureth-23, Sodium Polynaphthalenesulfonate, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Laureth-4, Cellulose Gum, DMDM Hydantoin, PEG-4, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Methylisothiazolinone, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Glucose, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trideceth-9, Lactic Acid, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, CI 42090, CI 47005
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Histidine
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Xylenesulfonate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium EDTA
Tea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingTrideceth-10
CleansingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycol Distearate, Parfum, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Histidine, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Xylenesulfonate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone, Sodium Salicylate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Trideceth-10, Benzyl Alcohol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
This ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideThis ingredient is the sodium salt of salicylic acid, the famous anti-acne ingredient.
Officially, this ingredient is used as a preservative. However, some studies found Sodium Salicylate to have exfoliating properties. Further studies are needed.
We don't have a description for Tea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate yet.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
